The History Book Club discussion

This is the glossary thread for the book The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History by John M. Barry.

by John M. Barry

The Great Influenza - John M. Barry in conversation with David Rubenstein - Library of Congress

Link to Video on Main Page of Group: https://youtu.be/X9pC6WW12qE

Synopsis:

John M. Barry, prizewinning historian of numerous disasters including the 1927 Mississippi flood and the devastating 1918 Spanish flu, discusses the history of the deadly 1918 pandemic and what it can teach us about the Coronavirus with David Rubenstein.

A Historian’s View of the Coronavirus Pandemic and the Influenza of 1918 - By David Remnick - March 25, 2020



"In the late summer of 2005, I packed a small bag and headed to New Orleans, to help cover Hurricane Katrina for this magazine. I flew into Houston—the airport in New Orleans was closed—and the book I read on the flight was John M. Barry’s “Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How It Changed America.” It was already becoming clear that the terrible storm that had ravaged the South in 1927 resonated with what was happening again in the cities and towns along the Gulf of Mexico. And now, in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, another of Barry’s books, published in 2004, becomes invaluable: “The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History.”

Barry lives in an airy house in the French Quarter of New Orleans. His living room is bright. There are tall windows that let in the afternoon sun. I know these details of interior design in the way of the moment—that is, we talked the other day via Zoom, that vital means of connection at a time of mandated physical distance.

Barry is seventy-two, and cheerfully allowed that, although he and his wife have gone out briefly for quick, careful strolls in the neighborhood, they are mainly holed up at home. Like everyone.

And discipline is the necessary thing. At a time of containment, “straying can kill,” he said.

The influenza epidemic of 1918 was ruthless. It killed somewhere between fifty million and a hundred million people—and that was in a far less populated, dense, mobile, and globalized world.

The new coronavirus is aggressive, and governments and populations that do not act with alacrity and discipline will suffer for it.

Remainder of article and video:
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/vid...

Source: The New Yorker

Something else to worry about!

The bubonic plague is back again in China's Inner Mongolia - By Jessie Yeung, CNN - Updated 1:06 AM ET, Mon July 6, 2020

(CNN)Authorities in the Chinese region of Inner Mongolia are on high alert after a suspected case of bubonic plague, the disease that caused the Black Death pandemic, was reported Sunday.

The case was discovered in the city of Bayannur, located northwest of Beijing, according to state-run Xinhua news agency. A hospital alerted municipal authorities of the patient's case on Saturday. By Sunday, local authorities had issued a citywide Level 3 warning for plague prevention, the second lowest in a four-level system.

The warning will stay in place until the end of the year, according to Xinhua.

Plague, caused by bacteria and transmitted through flea bites and infected animals, is one of the deadliest bacterial infections in human history. During the Black Death in the Middle Ages, it killed an estimated 50 million people in Europe.

Remainder of article and video:
https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/06/asia/c...

Source: CNN

Bentley, My goodness! What next? Fortunately, I already have a copy of this book, and hopefully will be reading right along with the Group.
Regards,
Andrea

Wonderful news on the book and your joining - not so good on the bubonic plague. Why is it always poor China - of course - it is a vast country?

Alas today's news.

Selected Bibliography

Primary Sources

ARCHIVES AND COLLECTIONS

Alan Mason Chesney Archives, Johns Hopkins University
Stanhope Bayne-Jones papers
Wade Hampton Frost papers
William Halsted papers
Christian Herter papers
Franklin Mall papers
Eugene Opie papers
William Welch papers

American Philosophical Society
Harold Amoss papers
Rufus Cole papers
Simon Flexner papers
Victor Heiser papers
Peter Olitsky papers
Eugene Opie papers
Raymond Pearl papers
Peyton Rous papers

Selected Bibliography

Primary Sources

ARCHIVES AND COLLECTIONS

City Archive, Philadelphia
Alms House, Philadelphia General Hospital Daily Census, 1905–1922 Census Book
Coroner’s Office, Interments in Potters Field, 1914–1942 Department of Public Health and Charities Minutes
Journal of the Board of Public Education
Journal of the Common Council
Journal of Select Council
Letterbook of Chief of Electrical Bureau, Department of Public Safety

Selected Bibliography

Primary Sources

ARCHIVES AND COLLECTIONS

College of Physicians, Philadelphia
William N. Bradley papers
Arthur Caradoc Morgan papers
Influenza papers

Selected Bibliography

Primary Sources

ARCHIVES AND COLLECTIONS

Columbia University, Butler Library, Oral History Research Office
A. R. Dochez oral history
Abraham Flexner oral history

THE LAST PANDEMIC - This book taught me a lot about the Spanish Flu - John M. Barry’s 2004 book The Great Influenza has never been more relevant. -By Bill Gates| May 18, 2020

Article: https://www.gatesnotes.com/Books/The-...

Source: Gatenotes

Tulsa sees Covid-19 surge in the wake of Trump's June rally

(CNN)The city of Tulsa is experiencing a surge in coronavirus cases, a little over 2 weeks after President Donald Trump held a campaign rally in an indoor arena there.

Dr. Bruce Dart, Executive Director of the Tulsa Health Department, said in a press conference on Wednesday there are high numbers being reported this week, with nearly 500 new cases in two days and trends are showing that those numbers will increase.

There had been a 20% decline in new Covid-19 cases the week of June 28 through July 4.

The Tulsa Health Department reported 266 new cases on Wednesday, bringing the total number in the county to 4,571. There are 17,894 cases in Oklahoma and 452 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University's tally of cases in the United States.

When asked if the cases in Tulsa are going up due to the rally on June 20, Dart said that there were several large events a little over two weeks ago.

"I guess we just connect the dots," Dart said.

In a statement to CNN, Leanne Stephens of the Tulsa Health Department said, "Our epidemiologists and contact tracers are inundated with following up with Tulsa County residents who are confirmed positive as the numbers have been extremely high in recent days. Yesterday, we set a new single day case high and you can see on our website where the trends are moving."

This coronavirus has a lengthy incubation period -- the time between when someone gets infected to when they start showing symptoms (if they get symptoms at all).The incubation period is about three to 14 days, with symptoms typically appearing "within four or five days after exposure," according to Harvard Medical School.

Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh told CNN, "There were literally no health precautions to speak of as thousands looted, rioted, and protested in the streets and the media reported that it did not lead to a rise in coronavirus cases.

Meanwhile, the President's rally was 18 days ago, all attendees had their temperature checked, everyone was provided a mask, and there was plenty of hand sanitizer available for all. It's obvious that the media's concern about large gatherings begins and ends with Trump rallies."

Murtaugh provided a link to CNN reporting on research suggesting that Black Lives Matter protests across the country did not lead to a jump in coronavirus cases.

All of Trump's campaign staffers who attended his rally went into quarantine, however, after interacting with several colleagues who later tested positive for the virus. Multiple Secret Service officers were also instructed to self-quarantine after two of their colleagues who were on site for the rally tested positive.

About 6,200 people attended the rally, according to the Tulsa Fire Department.

Remainder of article:
https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/08/us/tul...

Source: CNN

More:
Louisiana governor says progress against coronavirus has been wiped out in past three weeks - Madeline Holcombe - CNN Digital Expansion Shoot, Holly Yan - By Madeline Holcombe and Holly Yan, CNN - Updated 5:14 PM ET, Wed July 8, 2020
Link: https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/08/health...

The US set a record for the most cases reported in a single day -- 60,021 on Tuesday.

'You cannot fight the pandemic with lies' -- Angela Merkel knows how to insert a dagger - Analysis by Stephen Collinson with Caitlin Hu, CNN - Updated 4:25 PM ET, Fri July 10, 2020

Remainder of article:
https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/10/world/...

Source: CNN

Bentley,. Thank you so much for the above post! I shall continue to be fan of Angela Merkel — she’s phenominal and right-on target!
Regards,
Andrea

I know - a very incisive comment about the covid 19 numbers and what is not working! You are welcome.

New York Times: Internal CDC documents warn full reopening of schools is 'highest risk' for coronavirus spread - CNN Digital Expansion 2018 Veronica Stracqualursi - By Veronica Stracqualursi, CNN - Updated 2:01 PM ET, Sat July 11, 2020

CNN)Internal documents from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned that fully reopening K-12 schools and universities would be the "highest risk" for the spread of coronavirus, according to a New York Times report, as President Donald Trump and his administration push for students and teachers to return in-person to classrooms.

The 69-page document obtained by the Times marked "For Internal Use Only" was among materials for federal public health response teams deployed to coronavirus hotspots to help local public health officials handle the outbreak, the newspaper reported.

The document was circulated this week, the Times reported, as Trump slammed the CDC guidelines around reopening schools and he, Vice President Mike Pence and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos increased their pressure on schools to fully reopen by the fall.

It is unclear whether the President viewed the CDC document, according to the Times.

CNN has reached out to the CDC and the White House and has not yet received a response.

The revelation of the documents comes as states debate whether to reopen schools amid a resurgence in coronavirus cases. Many school districts in the South, where coronavirus cases are rising, begin the school year in just a few weeks.

The document, mostly comprised of CDC documents already publicly available, mentions reopening plans from states, districts, and individual schools and universities, identifying some proposals as consistent with CDC guidance and criticizing the "noticeable gaps" in other plans, the Times reported. Trump on Wednesday criticized the CDC's guidelines for safely reopening schools as "very tough" and "expensive." He wrote on Twitter Friday that "schools must be open in the Fall," arguing that virtual learning is "TERRIBLE" compared to in-school or on-campus learning.

Trump has also threatened to cut federal funding to schools and universities that do not reopen, though he does not have the authority to unilaterally do so. The bulk of public school funding — about 90% — comes from state and local governments while federal funding goes toward the nation's disadvantaged, low-income, and special education students.

During a White House task force briefing Wednesday, Pence announced that the CDC would issue new guidance on reopening schools next week because "we just don't want the guidance to be too tough."

Both he and CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield, a task force member, said the agency's recommendations should not be viewed as a barrier to returning children to classrooms.

Redfield later insisted in media interviews and on CNN's coronavirus town hall Thursday that the CDC would not be releasing new guidance nor changing the guidance.

"I can tell you that those guidance that we put out are out, and they stand," Redfield told CNN's Anderson Cooper.

Redfield said that CDC is planning to expand on the guidelines by releasing additional documents and tools related to reopening schools, which he said Pence was referring to in his comments.

"But at the end of the day, these guidances are just that — they're guidances, which the local schools and districts need to then incorporate into a practical, real plan that they can operationalize to begin to get these young people back to school safely," Redfield said.

The CDC's guidelines for K-12 schools encourage hygiene, the use of cloth face coverings, and staying home when appropriate. It also suggests staggered scheduling, a back-up staffing plan, modified seating layouts to allow social distancing, physical barriers and closing communal spaces.

The current guidelines, last updated in May, say the "lowest risk" setting for Covid-19 spread is virtual-only learning options, while listing full-sized, in-person classes that lack social distancing as the "highest risk" setting.

Link to article and video: https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/11/politi...

Source: CNN

Bentley, Wow! What can the White House be thinking?
Regards,
Andrea

Nobody knows.

Twelve Diseases that Changed Our World

by Irwin W. Sherman (no photo)

Synopsis:

Diseases have significantly shaped the course of the world's history.

From the fourteenth-century plague to HIV/AIDS today, diseases have fundamentally altered the shape of society, politics, and culture. In a sweeping, thoughtful account,

"Twelve Diseases That Changed Our World" considers the history of twelve important diseases: their impact, their consequences, their costs, and the lessons learned.

Examining hemophilia, blight, tuberculosis, cholera, smallpox, bubonic plague, influenza, malaria, yellow fever, and syphilis, this book not only covers the diseases' histories but also addresses public health responses and societal upheavals.

Historical perspectives on these diseases will be indispensable for a better understanding of how we and our forbearers survived the onslaught of "plagues" and how we might avoid their devastating consequences in the future. Crucial to this examination is exploring how past experience can help us to deal effectively with "coming plagues."

Whether attempts to control outbreaks were successful or not, lessons can be learned that are crucial for disease containment today. Most significantly, this book explains the lessons learned from attempts to contain past disease outbreaks and how that knowledge can be utilized in the future.

Despite the challenges that a major epidemic presents, "Twelve Diseases That Changed Our World" also details various past successes in which diseases were brought under control and social disorder was minimized.

Polio: An American Story

by David M. Oshinsky (no photo)

Synopsis:

Here David Oshinsky tells the gripping story of the polio terror and of the intense effort to find a cure, from the March of Dimes to the discovery of the Salk and Sabin vaccines and beyond. Drawing on newly available papers of Jonas Salk, Albert Sabin and other key players, Oshinsky paints a suspenseful portrait of the race for the cure, weaving a dramatic tale centered on the furious rivalry between Salk and Sabin. He also tells the story of Isabel Morgan, perhaps the most talented of all polio researchers, who might have beaten Salk to the prize if she had not retired to raise a family.

Oshinsky offers an insightful look at the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, which was founded in the 1930s by FDR and Basil O'Connor, it revolutionized fundraising and the perception of disease in America. Oshinsky also shows how the polio experience revolutionized the way in which the government licensed and tested new drugs before allowing them on the market, and the way in which the legal system dealt with manufacturers' liability for unsafe products. Finally, and perhaps most tellingly, Oshinsky reveals that polio was never the raging epidemic portrayed by the media, but in truth a relatively uncommon disease. But in baby booming America increasingly suburban, family oriented, and hygiene obsessed the specter of polio, like the specter of the atomic bomb, soon became a cloud of terror over daily life.

Both a gripping scientific suspense story and a provocative social and cultural history, Polio opens a fresh window onto postwar America.

The Adventure of the Dying Detective
Genre: Mystery/Fiction

by Arthur Conan Doyle

Synopsis:

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

Note: In this mystery, Holmes spends quite a bit of time in bed.

Yippee, Bentley,a work by Arthur Conan Doyle I haven’t read yet! My TBR List thanks you. Arthur Conan Doyle was so prolific! He wrote some grand historical fiction in addition to the Sherlock Holmes stories.
Regards,
Andrea

by Arthur Conan Doyle
by Arthur Conan Doyle

The 1918 flu pandemic, a cautionary tale
Interview on CBS Sunday Morning

Link: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-1918...

Source: CBS News

Barry's recommendation to stop deaths from Covid 19 - Tell the truth

The Single Most Important Lesson From the 1918 Influenza
Tell the truth. At its core, society is based on trust.

By John M. Barry
Mr. Barry is the author of “The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History.”

Link to article: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/17/op...

Source: The New York Times

A Historian’s View of the Coronavirus Pandemic and the Influenza of 1918
By David Remnick
March 25, 2020

Link to article: https://www.newyorker.com/culture/vid...

Source: The New Yorker

How to Practice Social Distancing

By Isaac Chotiner
March 17, 2020

Link: https://www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-...

Source: The New Yorker

Finding Connection and Resilience During the Coronavirus Pandemic

By Robin Wright
March 12, 2020

Link: https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-co...

Source: The New Yorker

This is a write up on one of the major themes of the book. I will post these periodically. Please feel free to debate for or against what Barry argues with your posts: (being posted in the glossary because some page numbers cited go beyond our assigned reading)

Here is the second one.

Impact of Politics on the Pandemic

There are many instances in The Great Influenza that describe how the scientists, doctors, and even civilians had to work against the politicians as trained, qualified health professionals tried to protect the people from the flu. Appointed public health leaders who knew little about medicine or disease would not help to curb the spread of illness. To make matters worse, Wilson was pushing the war effort so strongly that many leaders made bad decisions with the idea of winning the war against Germany. In some instances, the government leaders were of so little use that the people of the community had to take charge to take care of their people.

Krusen is one example of a political appointee who knew little about public health. He was the Director of the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and Charities during the time of the epidemic. He is described as a “decent man” (199) but one who “lacked background in, commitment to, or understanding of public health issues” (199-200). Barry illustrates Krusen’s unwillingness to deal with problems when he notes that even though Krusen was a gynecologist, he refused to help the military with its problems with prostitution. At the same time, the city leaders were all corrupt so they had other issues in mind rather than the best interests of the people. Even when people in Philadelphia began to die of the flu, Krusen denied that disease was a threat to the city.

While the government in Philadelphia was suffering from a lack of good leadership, President Woodrow Wilson was enforcing participation in the war effort. Consequently, Krusen was faced with the decision whether to allow the Liberty Loan parade, a celebration expected to raise millions of dollars from the sale of bonds for the war effort, go forward. Barry indicates that the decision was on Krusen’s shoulders, that even if he had “sought guidance from the mayor, he would have found none” (209). Doctors, public health experts, and infectious disease experts urged Krusen to cancel the parade. Krusen saw the reports of the way the flu was spreading in the naval yards. However, he chose to support the war instead of protecting the people.

Conditions deteriorated rapidly in Philadelphia after the Liberty Loan parade. Neither the Red Cross nor the Public Health Service offered any help to the sick and dying people. Lewis, who was in Philadelphia working for a cure, sensed the pressure to do something to help the people. Amid the tragedy, the wealthy families of Philadelphia decided to use the Council of National Defense to take charge of the city. These citizens prepared food, arranged for medical care, and began the work of clearing away the dead bodies piling up as a result of the epidemic. It was only after the people took charge of their city that Krusen began to cooperate with them by calling for doctors to be returned from the military to Philadelphia. He additionally assisted in the cleanup efforts.

Source: Book Rags

Breaking News US Tops 5 Million Covid 19 Cases

US tops 5 million Covid-19 cases, with five states making up more than 40% of tally
By Christina Maxouris, CNN
Updated 10:39 AM ET, Sun August 9, 2020

(CNN)The US topped 5 million cases of coronavirus early Sunday -- and as experts have highlighted before, the true number of infections could be many times higher.

The number means the country holds about a quarter of global cases of the virus and also tops the list with the most reported deaths in the world. Of the country's 5,000,603 estimated cases, 162,441 have been deadly, according to data collected by John Hopkins University.

The pandemic shows no sign of slowing, and health officials have urged the use of face masks in public places and pleaded with residents to avoid social gatherings until the spread is under control.

As of this week, five states account for more than 40% of US infections: California (with the most cases in the country), Florida, Texas, New York and Georgia.

Remainder of Breaking News: https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/09/health...

Source: CNN

My Goodness, Bentley, it’s time for me to head out into the desert (or at least West Texas) and become a hermit! A scary time for all of us! Wear your mask, and stay safe!
Regards,
Andrea

Andrea - we hope not - but wear your mask and follow other guidelines recommended and you should be fine.

Selected Bibliography

Primary Sources

ARCHIVES AND COLLECTIONS

Historical Society of Philadelphia
The Advisory Committee on Nursing, Philadelphia Hospital for Contagious Disease, Report for Feb. 1919 Council of National Defense papers
Benjamin Hoffman collection
Dr. William Taylor collection
Herbert Welsh collection
Woman’s Advisory Council, Philadelphia General Hospital collection

Jefferson Medical College
Annual Report, Jefferson Hospital, year ended May 31, 1919

Library of Congress
Newton Baker papers
Ray Stannard Baker papers
George Creel papers
Joseph Tumulty papers
Woodrow Wilson papers

National Academy of Sciences
Executive Committee of Medicine 1916–1917 files
Medicine and Related Sciences, 1918 Activities Summary
Committee on Medicine and Hygiene 1918 files
Committee on Psychology/Propaganda Projects files
Influenza files
Biographical files for Oswald Avery, Rufus Cole, Alphonse Dochez, Eugene Opie, Thomas Rivers, Hans Zinsser

Selected Bibliography

Primary Sources

ARCHIVES AND COLLECTIONS

National Archives
Red Cross records
U.S. Army Surgeon General records
U.S. Navy Surgeon General records
U.S. Public Health Service records

National Library of Medicine
Stanhope Bayne-Jones papers and oral history
Michael Heidelberger oral history
Frederick Russell papers
Donald Van Slyke oral history
Shields Warren oral history

New York City Municipal Archives
Annual Report of the Department of Health of the City of New York for 1918
Collected Studies of the Bureau of Laboratories of the Department of Health of the City of New York for the Years 1916–1919, v. 9 Collected Reprints of Dr. William H. Park, v. 3, 1910–1920

Selected Bibliography

Primary Sources

ARCHIVES AND COLLECTIONS

Rhode Island Historical Society
Charles Chapin papers

Rockefeller University Archives
Paul Lewis papers
Reports to the Board of Scientific Directors

Sterling Library, Yale University
Gordon Auchincloss papers
Arthur Bliss Lane papers
Vance C. McCormick papers
Frederic Collin Walcott papers
Charles-Edward Winslow papers

Temple University Special Collections
Thomas Whitehead papers

Temple University Urban Archives
Carson College for Orphan Girls
Children’s Hospital, Bainbridge
Clinton Street Boarding Home
Housing Association of Delaware Valley papers
Rabbi Joseph Krauskopf papers
Pennsylvania Hospital Pennsylvania Society to Protect Children from Cruelty
Philadelphia Association of Day Nurseries
Whosoever Gospel Mission of Germantown
Young Women’s Boarding Home Association of Philadelphia
Report of the Hospital of the Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania, 1919

Tennessee Historical Society
Oswald Avery papers

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Milton Rosenau papers

University of Pennsylvania Archives
George Wharton Pepper papers

Selected Bibliography

Secondary Sources

NEWSPAPERS
Arizona Gazette
Arizona Republican
Boston Globe
Chicago Tribune
London Times
Los Angeles Times
New Orleans Item
New Orleans Times-Picayune
New York Times
Philadelphia Inquirer
Philadelphia North American
Philadelphia Public Ledger
Providence Journal
San Francisco Chronicle
Santa Fe Monitor (Kansas)
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Seattle Times
Washington Post
Washington Star

Selected Bibliography

Secondary Sources

ARTICLES

“Advertisements in the Laryngoscope: Spanish Influenza—1918.” Laryngoscope 106, no. 9, part 1 (Sept. 1996): 1058.

Anastassiades, T. “Autoserotherapy in Influenza.” Grece Medicale, reported in JAMA 72, no. 26 (June 28, 1919): 1947.

Andrewes, C. H. “The Growth of Virus Research 1928–1978.” Postgraduate Medical Journal 55, no. 64 (Feb. 1979): 73–77.

Ashford, Bailey K. “Preparation of Medical Officers of the Combat Division in France at the Theatre of Operations.” Military Surgeon 44 (Feb. 1919): 111–14.

Austrian, R. “The Education of a ‘Climatologist.’” Transactions of the American Clininical Climatolology Association 96 (1984): 1–13.

Donald Trump claims Spanish Flu 'in 1917 probably ended Second World War

Link: https://youtu.be/_y5xY829UoY

Source: Youtube